Joleon Lescott’s leadership qualities will be invaluable to Sunderland in the relegation run-in - even if he is no more than a bit-part player.

That’s the view of David Moyes, who brought in the former England international in the January transfer window as central defensive cover for John O’Shea, Lamine Kone, and - when he has served the final game of a four-match ban - Papy Djilobodji.

Lescott has so far played only a little over half-an-hour as a substitute for his new club in the 4-0 win at Crystal Palace a fortnight ago, but Moyes says the 34-year-old has already made his presence felt in the dressing room.

Joleon Lescott of Sunderland (Image: Getty Images Europe)

And, even in a squad that already contained senior players such as O’Shea, Seb Larsson, and Jermain Defoe - all of whom are veterans of Sunderland’s recent battles for survival - Lescott’s experience is an important addition.

“Joleon’s had a massive impact on the dressing room because he’s a leader, a really good organiser when he’s on the pitch,” said Moyes of the two-time Premier League title winner with Manchester City.

“He’s an experienced player, he knows a lot of them as well and he’s had a big impact on the dressing room.

“That in itself is important. Sometimes it’s off the field where you see the impact, not on it.”

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But while Lescott’s off-field influence is important, ultimately the only thing that matters in the final three months of the season is that Sunderland produce results on the pitch as they look to make up a two-point deficit and scramble out of the relegation zone to preserve their top flight status.

Moyes said: “I think if we had to put Joleon in for 90 minutes he’d be okay but Joleon’s been out of training a little bit.